Finding happiness and meaning in life requires, every 10 years, a new journey from slavery to freedom
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul – June 29, 2025
We celebrate this Feast day because the lives of Peter and Paul are great models for us to reflect on as we live our lives. They were men who lived ordinary lives, trying to survive day by day. When Jesus came into their lives, they suddenly had a mission that gave them a real purpose and meaning in their lives: paradoxically, they sacrificed their lives for the mission.
We often skip over the information at the start of this Gospel which helps us understand more deeply the importance of the message. The Gospel account is set “…during the days of unleavened bread.” These days immediately follow Passover, which commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. So Peter (and later Paul) are the new Moses figures, trying to lead the people of God out of the slavery that Israel was experiencing.
Of course the Jewish people thought the problem was the Roman occupiers. But the deeper problem was their inner slavery to control and minor laws which obscured the great Law given by God to Moses. So, today we should reflect: what are you a slave to? What am I a slave to?
Leaven is another word for yeast, and is seen as a symbol of sin and corruption, while unleavened bread represents purity, righteousness, and a life free from sin. Symbolically, Peter’s miraculous escape is told in some detail so we get the idea it’s a “journey”. The journey from slavery (prison) to freedom. It teaches Peter that this is what he must do for others.
And today, that is our task as well: to help others move from their addictions to power, wealth, drugs, alcohol, etc. to the freedom of a life lived in mutual service for each other.
The festival of unleavened bread lasts for seven days to give time to remove all leavened products from their homes. Symbolically this reminds us that the journey from slavery (sin) to freedom (peace, service to others), takes time. Seven is a symbolically perfect number: indicating some appropriate time.
Peter is a great model for us, as we also struggle to make the journey from slavery to freedom, by following Jesus. Peter is a model because we know he sometimes proclaimed Christ (our Gospel today), but he also denied Christ at times (the crucifixion).
In the same way, we know that Paul also had a real struggle in his “addiction” to the liturgical and customary law as of Israel to the freedom of living by the Grace of God. He also gave his life so we might know the truth of this teaching.
As we reflect on how both Sts Peter and Paul were executed for the Faith, its symbolism reminds us that only by dying to ourselves can we find a higher level of freedom: joy/ peace.
I suggest that the parents in our world are especially loved by God. Because they die to their persons dreams and desires in order to give life to their children and each other. Many times Mums and Dads might doubt their ability to be good parents, but Sts Peter and Paul are a great encouragement: Peter reminds us that we can make mistakes and start again;
Paul reminds us that we need, sometimes, to change our rigid ideologies and try new ideas.
It’s helpful for children to see us make mistakes (but not too many!), because it tells them they don’t have to be perfect, and that we cannot use the mistakes of others as a reason for doing the same. We also teach them how to respond to mistakes: with humility and service.
Earlier, I asked: what is our slavery? Today, there are many addictions: our material comforts, over-eating (how many of us are growing bigger than we should?), excessive drinking and, as the Sydney Catholic Newspaper describes it, the Public Health crisis caused by pornography.
It’s affecting our young people very much, but also many older people are addicted: people lose their jobs, marriage are broken, etc. And, although many try to stop, they often fall back to it.
How do we break free from addictions? Only through honesty, in company with one or more trusted people, and through prayer, Reconciliation and the Eucharist. This is a deadly slavery that many stumble into thinking there is no harm. But, psychologically, it is like hard drugs.
Another dangerous, but subtle, addiction now prevalent in society is “playing the victim.” It sounds strange but, frequently complaining about what others have done to me, can become a safe way to avoid transformation in ourselves: it’s always others who are the problem!
It eventually destroys our relationships, rarely giving us meaning and purpose in life.
This is not to say that there are real victims who need assistance, and justice must be done.
With Sts Peter and Paul we should feel comfortable and encouraged: that God is merciful and patient when we make mistakes in our journey to true freedom: we can restart and continue.
Let’s pray that we, too, despite our weaknesses, addictions and fears, might be encouraged by them to be leaders in our communities and families, today, using what God has given us.
By Gerard Conlan, OMI
